Fixing sprinkler valve—please help!


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Old 06-28-19, 08:34 PM
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Unhappy Fixing sprinkler valve—please help!

We are not handy people, but we tried to replace our sprinkler valves with instructions from an employee at Lowe's and lots of YouTube vids. We thought all went well until turning the water back on—leak. It is a small, steady stream coming from where the adapter screws into the valve. We did not use plumbers tape as none of our instructions said to, though now that seems foolish of us.

My question is: is there any way to stop the leak without repeating the whole process of cutting the pipe and replacing the valve with new adapter? Something we can apply over the top without taking it all off just to add plumber's tape?

 
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Old 06-28-19, 08:38 PM
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Welcome to the forums.

That type of fitting usually works best with teflon tape. There really isn't a product that will seal the leak from the outside reliably. There are some miracle putties that you could try but it's a crap shoot.
 
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Old 06-29-19, 03:18 AM
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There really isn't a product that will seal the leak
Lets rephrase this, there are NO products that will seal a joint that is already screwed together.

This is a AH HA moment in your DIY trek, you will never do this again!

Joint has to come apart, teflon tape of joint compound needs to be installed on the threads, then you'll bask in the glory of a job well done!
 
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Old 06-29-19, 07:35 AM
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Marq1 is absolutely right but...

It's a sprinkler system--intermittent use
It's outside--won't cause any damage
It's a small leak--not too wasteful (and will benefit any plantings nearby)
It's not a focal point--so ugly may not be an issue

A fat "O" ring cut and snugged into the groove between the valve and the fitting, held in place with a band clamp might work. Maybe also some Miracle Tape between the O ring and the clamp.
 
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Old 06-29-19, 10:45 AM
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but...
Here is what give DIY the bad image, just take it apart and fix it right, by the time you try several hack fixes it will be done correctly!
 
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Old 06-29-19, 03:07 PM
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Marq nailed it. This is literally a 5 minute fix by cutting it, threading in a new fitting (use tpe paste this time) and glue in a coupling. Wasted more time typing than it takes to fix it.

Just don't overtighten the threaded fitting or it will crack.
 
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